Phonak Audéo Infinio and Sphere Infinio
Phonak has unveiled its latest innovation in hearing technology, the Phonak Infinio. By adding Bluetooth LE Audio and AI-based denoising, Phonak's new range promises to be a game-changer for the company and its customers. In this review, we'll take an in-depth look at the features and advancements of the Phonak Infinio and what it means for users.
Closed captions are available on this video. If you are using a mobile phone, please enable captions clicking on the gear icon.
What I love
- Deep Sonic Chip for Noise Reduction
- The AI-driven chip, trained on 22 million sound samples, enhances speech in noise, providing up to 36.7% better speech understanding compared to competitors.
- AutoSense 6.0
- The improved version adapts to various environments, enhancing speech understanding by 16% and reducing listening effort by 45%.
- Classic Bluetooth Connectivity
- Allows connection to multiple devices, high-quality streaming, and hands-free calling, which isn't possible with other hearing aids.
- LE Audio and Auracast Ready
- Future-proofed with support for Auracast, expected to become widely available in public venues.
- Versatility with ActiveVent Receivers
- The ActiveVent technology adjusts for different environments, offering better sound clarity for both speech and music.
Drawbacks
- No Disposable Battery Option
- Likely won't be released with a non-rechargeable option, which may be an issue for some users.
- Potential Battery Life Issues
- Intense use of AI features like the spherical speech mode may reduce battery life to half of its capability.
- No Telecoil or CROS System Compatibility
- Missing these features could be a downside for users relying on loop systems or needing CROS support.
- Size
- While not a dealbreaker for most, they are slightly larger than some competitors like Widex Moment, which may concern those looking for ultra-discreet devices.
- Mixed Hands-Free Calling Experience
- While hands-free calling is a benefit, the voice pick-up can struggle in noisy environments, leading to poor call quality for the other party.
The Models
Phonak Infinio is available in three models, each designed to meet specific needs:
- Audéo Infinio R: A rechargeable receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid, versatile and suitable for various hearing losses.
- Audéo Infinio Sphere: An advanced rechargeable RIC hearing aid that incorporates the latest AI denoising technology, designed for enhanced speech understanding and sound clarity.
- Audéo Infinio CROS: Similar to the Audéo Infinio R, this model is designed for individuals with unilateral hearing loss, and offers a 30% improvement in battery life, addressing previous issues with CROS and BiCROS systems, according to Phonak.
The Infinio hearing aid line also includes Virto Infinio custom hearing aids in a rechargeable wireless in-the-canal (ITC) model, battery-powered completely-in-canal (CIC), and titanium invisible-in-canal models.
Design and Physical Features
The Infinio range bears a resemblance to the Audéo Lumity Life but is slightly shorter. Notable features include dual-port microphones for better sound capture and an updated rocker switch positioned lower than before. This switch allows for easy program and volume adjustments and call answering, maintaining Phonak's preference for dual-button controls over the single-button trend. Tap controls are also available, but only on higher price tiers (I70 and I90 models).
Customization and Comfort
Phonak Infinio can be tailored to individual needs with interchangeable receiver wires, making it suitable for mild to profound hearing losses. Phonak confirms that active vent receivers are also compatible, enhancing sound quality. The variety of medical-grade silicon tips, ranging from open to power domes, ensures comfort and optimal sound performance. Custom tips can also be made, significantly affecting clarity, richness, and streaming quality.
Advanced Features: Spheric Speech Clarity
One of the standout features of the Phonak Sphere Infinio is the introduction of Spheric Speech Clarity, a revolutionary AI-based solution designed to enhance speech understanding in noisy environments. This system leverages deep neural networks (DNN) to separate speech from background noise, significantly improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
)
Phonak's DEEPSONIC™ neural network processing chip is central to this technology. It enables the Spheric Speech Clarity system to perform real-time denoising, maintaining speech signal integrity while removing unwanted sounds. Phonak claims this results in up to a 10dB enhancement in SNR, making conversations in complex, noisy environments much clearer.
How Spheric Speech Clarity Works
- AutoSense OS: The signal processing starts with AutoSense OS, which analyzes the sound environment and determines the optimal processing path. It adjusts the microphone settings based on user preferences and situational needs.
- Deep Neural Network Processing: The Spheric Speech Clarity system employs a DNN with 4.5 million parameters, trained on 22 million sound samples. This network processes the full spectrum of 64 frequencies to accurately distinguish between speech and noise.
- DEEPSONIC™ Chip: To handle the complex computations required by the DNN, Phonak developed the DEEPSONIC™ chip. This chip performs 7,700 million operations per second and is claimed to be 53 times more powerful than any other chip in the hearing aid industry.
Clinical Benefits
Phonak's research indicates that Spheric Speech Clarity delivers significant improvements in speech understanding. According to a perceptual clinical study conducted at the Phonak Audiological Research Center (PARC), users experienced double the likelihood of understanding speech in noisy environments compared to without the technology. Additionally, speech understanding improved by up to 36.8% compared to two leading competitor devices.
Karl Strom, in his detailed report, highlighted that Phonak's internal studies show 93% of users prefer the first-fit of Infinio over two leading competitors. Furthermore, the new hearing aid provided a 45% reduction in listening effort in quiet listening situations for adults with moderate to severe hearing loss, and 21% less fatigue when the Speech Enhancer was on versus off for people with moderate to severe hearing loss. With the added benefits of Phonak’s Roger ON remote mic, Infinio is said to improve speech understanding by 61%.
Bluetooth and Connectivity
Phonak Infinio excels in Bluetooth connectivity with universal compatibility, supporting connections to all Bluetooth-enabled devices—including both Bluetooth LE and the older Bluetooth Classic protocol. It reportedly offers hands-free calling and instant connectivity with low latency. Phonak claims the new chip increases transmission power sixfold, ensuring stable and robust connections over longer distances. The inclusion of Auracast readiness promises future improvements in public venue audio experiences, though this feature awaits activation through a firmware update.
Durability and Waterproofing
Durability has been significantly enhanced, with Phonak adopting the robust standards of their Life model. This includes additional microphone protection, silicon-sealed seams, and a parylene coating, extensively tested for various water and sweat exposures. Phonak claims this makes the Infinio highly resistant to everyday wear and tear.
Conclusion
The Phonak Infinio series represents a significant leap forward in hearing aid technology, with improvements in sound quality, connectivity, and durability. The Spheric Speech Clarity system, powered by the DEEPSONIC™ chip, sets a new standard for speech understanding in noisy environments for Phonak. While the full potential of features like Auracast will be realized in the future, the current capabilities already offer a compelling choice for users. Keep an eye out for my detailed review after fitting these in patients' ears for real-world feedback. For now, the Phonak Infinio stands as a promising addition to the world of hearing aids.
)